RIVERSIDE (CNS/KNX 1070) - Intense bands of rain continue to sweep across Southern California, triggering street flooding in many places. And this atmospheric river storm has led to mandatory evacuation orders in the Holy wildfire burn area in Riverside County.
This Lake Elsinore home is in danger of collapse from the muddy waters of a flood control channel.
Around the county:
- There are two closures in place. Hurley Flats to I-10, and at Saunders Meadow.
- There's a sinkhole in the road in Hermosa Beach at 35th St and Palm Drive.
- The Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles halted play after less than an hour this morning due to the wet conditions.
- Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, both say they'll remain closed for the day.
- Caltrans reports mud and flooding on eastbound Interstate 10 in Cabazon.
- And in San Diego County, a Cal Fire Truck was involved in a roll over crash in Escondido. Three Firefighters were taken to the hospital to be checked out, but have since been released.
Many residents in the Woolsey fire and in Malibu area have been told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice today.
In Sausalito, KPIX captured a mudslide that crashed into homes.
A major coastal road in Orange County is shutdown because of a slide. Authorities have restricted access for vehicles and pedestrians along a section of North El Camino Real--from Camino Capistrano to Avenida Estacion. A public works spokesman says they're keeping a close eye.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Woolsey, Hill, and South burn areas this morning through early afternoon. It also issued a flash flood watch for the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains and adjacent foothills, including the Stone burn area this morning through early afternoon as well as areas not damaged by fire.
Meteorologists say flash flooding is also possible in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, the L.A. County coast, beach cities, Hollywood and several communities in Ventura County.
The locations were impacted by the Holy and Cranston fires, respectively, in August.
The Riverside County Emergency Management Department issued evacuation warnings -- which are strictly advisory but urge recipients to leave -- for the Apple Canyon, Fleming Ranch, Hurkey Creek and Strawberry Creek communities. The areas generally parallel state Routes 74 and 243 between Lake Hemet and Idyllwild, where the 13,000-acre Cranston Fire consumed large swaths of wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Some people have evacuated and gone to a Red Cross shelter at Temescal Canyon High School in the Holy Fire burn zone.
The arson fire left properties exposed to mud and debris flows, during which "boulders and trees (may come) crashing down hillsides," according to an EMD statement.
A wide area skirting the eastern boundary of the national forest was left exposed to potential flood damage because of the deliberately set fire, which denuded steep terrain below Santiago Peak, permitting water to flow unchecked onto lower slopes where subdivisions are situated.
County officials urged residents to check maps at www.RivCoReady.org/StormReady to determine if they are in an evacuation area. Residents can also sign up for emergency alert notifications via the website.
The National Weather Service posted a flash flood watch for the Riverside County mountains, valleys and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning that will be in effect from late tonight through Thursday evening. A high wind warning will also be in effect in the county mountains from this afternoon through 10 p.m. Thursday. The Coachella Valley was not included in either advisory.
A massive trough of low pressure loaded with energy from the Gulf of Alaska and a disturbance farther south in the Pacific will blanket the region into Thursday night, according to the NWS.
The system will bring steady rain, with the heaviest amounts Thursday, NWS meteorologist Miguel Miller said.
The Riverside metropolitan area and Lake Elsinore are forecast to get up to four-tenths of an inch of rainfall Wednesday, while up to six-tenths of an inch is expected in the San Gorgonio Pass, and the Coachella Valley will receive around one-tenth of an inch, forecasters said. Idyllwild and Pine Cove could get up to 2 inches of precipitation.
Snow levels will remain above 9,000 feet, Miller said.
South to southwest winds of 25 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching 65 mph, are expected this afternoon through Thursday evening, according to the NWS.
During a three-part storm series between Jan. 31 and Feb. 4, the EMD issued mandatory evacuation orders covering the Glen Ivy, Horsethief Canyon and McVicker Park communities on the north side of Lake Elsinore and south of El Cerrito, along Interstate 15.
Mud and debris flows prompted several street closures, but no significant damage was reported in connection with the storms.
